The Organisation of Illustrators Council (OIC) put the show together for the first time in 2016. This will be the 3rd anniversary of the show, and it is already one of Red Dot Diva's favourite annual art event.

Here are 5 Reasons Why You Should Come To This Year's IAF too!

1. Vibrant Artists Market
The Artists Market at Illustration Arts Fest is the best thing ever. It is busy, inventive and vibrant. With over 100 indie artists and illustrators from Red Dot Island and nearby countries taking part, no wonder it's a crowd puller.

The art style is wide ranging and eclectic, as the list of artists include the popular Muffinsaurus, artists Billy Yong and Zu Orzu, Fingersmith Letter Press who specializes in illustration and hand lettering, Inez Design with embroidery art and Rakasa Print Studio from Malaysia who does silkscreen art.

The crew of Taiwanese designers and artists are also coming back this year, and it is interesting to note how different their art form is from the SEA styles that are familiar to art fans here. If you love washi tape, you should check out those designed by Kiyoko Studio. They are really unusual and pretty.

Artists from Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam are also setting up booths this year. With such a wide variety of art at the market, there is a high chance that you will spot something which will catch your eye. It's shopping time!

2. Fishball's Re-appearance! Ta-dah!
If you have not heard of Malaysian artist Fishball yet, you are missing some well needed laughter in your life. Her LINE webtoons (some which are also now in book form!) called "My Giant Nerd Boyfriend" consists of adorable and hilarious snippets of her life with her hunky, 1.99m tall boyfriend.

Fishball made her first appearance at Illustration Arts Fest last year, and in slightly under 2 hours on Day 1, all her available books Sold Out like Hot Cakes! So Amazeballs! In the end, she did sketches for fans during the rest of the event.

Red Dot Diva was really happy to hear that Fishball will be coming back to the IAF as a guest this weekend. She will be conducting a webcomics workshop as well as a panel about her artistic adventures creating "My Giant Nerd Boyfriend".

And if you want to buy any of her books, do come early! Who knows? It may sell out in record time again!

3. Fantastic Guests From Around the Region
HK comics legend Li Chi Tak, also known as "Godfather of Hong Kong independent comics", will be doing a talk about his career and projects. The talk will be in Cantonese with English interpretation.

The artist has several indie comics or manhua (漫画) under his belt, including titles like the science-fiction "Black Mask" which was adapted into a movie that starred Jet Li, "Assassins", "Tien Yao Ji", a self-published comic book called "Vicious", and his latest comic called "Solar Eclipse". In 2016, he also held a solo exhibition of his works at the Angoulême International Comics Festival in France.

4. Talks and Workshops and Screenings!
Other than the talks by Fishball and Li Chi Tak, there are also other speakers. They are the writers and artists of COSHStudios (with writer Wayne Rée moderating), digital artist/ animator Andre Wee, indie illustrator Lee Xin Li, and commmunity builder Anne-Laure Herrezuelo.

The IAF programme schedule for both days has been announced on their website, with panels ticketed at a price of SGD 20 each and workshops at SGD 45 per pax.

And on Day 2 of IAF (23 Sep, Sunday), there are cartoons for you to enjoy, courtesy of Cartoon Underground! The screenings will be held at the LASALLE McNally Campus at 12 PM and 3 PM. The BAFTA award-winning animation short "Poles Apart" is one of the animated films on list, besides others by directors from Ottawa Animation Festival, Zagreb Animation Festival and Edinburgh international film festivals.

5. Networking Opportunities and Warm CamaraderieWith the convergence of artists from various countries, IAF is one of the best places for independent creators to make new contacts as well as meet potential partners to collaborate on ideas and projects.

It is also a great meeting point for artists to meet new fans while continuing to build rapport with current ones.

In fact, IAF is more than a festival, it is a community. Red Dot Diva has always found the general vibes at the event to be warm, friendly, and in many ways, intellectually stimulating. After a few hours at the festival, you will go home feeling engaged and inspired!

IAF has been updating their website daily leading up the event held this weekend. So, do check out their website for more of the latest news!

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Venue:Campus Green, LASALLY McNally CampusDates:22 and 23 September 2018Time:11 AM to 6 PM
Admittance is FREE!
Organized by OIC together with Noise Singapore